Nigel Pearson wants to see Ben Foster given a new contract with Watford, but is not expecting any news on his own situation just yet.

The goalkeeper's contract is due to expire at the end of the season, although reports suggest a new deal has been offered.

Speaking about the former England international, the head coach praised his presence in the dressing room, as well as his quality on the pitch and said he would like to work with him for longer.

"I would very much like to keep him," he said.

"He's picked for what he brings. I value him as a person, I really value his contribution as a player as well. It's important that all the players understand why they're picked, and they are picked for what they bring to the team. What he brings to our team and our dressing room is experience, quality, undoubted ability, enthusiasm and a very telling presence. All those things together make him what he is. I am very pleased he's here and in good form, and he's the type of person I like around the place.

"He's been exceptional in key moments in games, as a senior player as well he still has an incredible appetite to play and enthusiasm. He trains incredibly hard, he's thoroughly professional and that's why he's able to produce performances now at a very young age of 36."

After the defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend, Pearson was asked by Sky Sports whether or not he was hopeful of extending his own contract beyond the current season.

He said he was not thinking about that while there was still work to be done.

"I'm not expecting anything, I'm just expecting myself to concentrate on what I'm doing, simple as that," he said.

"Those types of issues are very much a secondary concern of mine, most of my energy is focused on doing the job that I've been brought in to do. Everything else will either take care of itself or it won't.

"I'm not going to waste any time thinking about it."